Apr 20, 2011:

When in ... Asia: Business Cards!

(4 images)

(from Christi)
I am currently in Phnom Penh doing a bit of post-Korea traveling. In the past few weeks, I have met so many amazing people. As we get to chatting, the same questions are always exchanged, including, "What will you do after Asia?"

I've heard many travelers share all kinds of interesting plans. From my end, the conversation always turns to the big bike trip. I am so excited for the ride, and I find others are, too. Everyone I talk to who's been to South America can't help but rave about their favorite experiences. As I was writing this web address on a napkin to share with the folks with whom I'd just shared a few pitchers of post-temple-hopping happy-hour beers, I realized that it was time to come up with a more effective solution.

I've been in Asia for more than a year now, and there is one tradition that is ubiquitous throughout this continent. That is the tradition of business cards. Anyone who has interacted with Asians in a work setting will be familiar with the elaborate culture of name-card exchanging and its associated etiquette. But this is not a custom that is limited to the folks in suits. I had received cards from local "guides" and motorcycle-taxi drivers. So, it stood to reason that I should embrace the local culture and print some 2B2R business cards! Fun!

Luckily, my guest house is just down the street from the local copy shop which was filled with Khmers printing menus, booklets, posters and just making copies. Perfect!

Just down the road from the copy shop there is a roundabout circumnavigating a giant golden Budha. I figured, so long as I'm embracing local customs, I might take my newly printed cards for a visit with Buddha in hopes of good luck.

Here is what the front of the card looks like. It's got me so excited - I can't wait to meet some people so I can start passing them out!

And the reverse side of the card - the print is a little small, but I can read it with my glasses on. All the important stuff, right in one place! Woot!